2 Unlicensed Passaic County Moving Companies Busted By State

Two Passaic County-based moving companies were issued Notices of Violation for operating without licenses, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced Monday.

Affordable & Assertive Moving & Storage of Pompton Lakes and H & D Transportation of Clifton were among 29 to be busted as part of a state-led undercover sting called “Operation Mother’s Attic" in April. Each unlicensed mover was also assessed a $2,500 civil penalty.

Undercover investigators from the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection pretended to be planning to move from an upscale neighborhood in Montville and hired various unlicensed moving companies advertising online for their “move," according to the report released Monday by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

The movers drove to Montville where they were met by the OCP investigators and issued NOVs for operating without licenses.

“An unlicensed moving company can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare,” said Grewal. “They’ve been known to hold truckloads of property hostage until the customer pays an extortionate fee. And these unlicensed movers often don’t carry adequate insurance, creating the risk that homeowners will be left high and dry if their property is seriously damaged during the move. That’s why we regulate the industry – and why we crack down on rogue operators.”

State Police’s Mobile Safety Freight Unit was also at the Montville location to conduct vehicle safety inspections on their trucks. Members of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also checked for verification that out-of-state movers were registered with the FMCSA to engage in interstate operations.

The inspections found 29 motor vehicle violations, five of them serious enough to put the vehicles out of service. Three drivers were prohibited from driving trucks away from the scene because of motor vehicle violations, including not having a valid driver’s license or not having a proper license. Two people were placed under arrest for outstanding warrants, and one person was arrested for possession of under 50 grams of marijuana.

Advice for Consumers via the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs:

• Call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6422 to verify the license status of any mover you consider hiring, and to ask whether consumer complaints have been submitted against the mover.
• Obtain a written estimate from the mover you select. The cost can be estimated on an hourly rate, by weight and miles traveled, or by cubic measurement.
• Never pack jewelry, money, or valuable documents with your goods to be moved. The mover is not responsible for items of extraordinary value.
• Check your goods as they are being delivered. If any are lost or damaged, notify the mover immediately. A damage claim can be filed up to 90 days after the move date.
• Unless you purchase additional coverage, the mover is required to compensate you only up to $1.00 per pound, per article, for damages.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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